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GLOSSARY
BEAM The sidepieces of a ladder which support the rungs and
which may be either solid or trussed.
DOGS Devices that hold and lock the fly section in position when
it is extended, sometimes referred to as pawls or locks.
FLY A section of an extension or aerial ladder, which may be
elevated by extending it out of the main or bed section. There may
be several fly sections in one ladder.
GUIDES Metal strips on an extension ladder which guides the fly
section while it is being elevated.
HALYARD The rope or cable used to elevate the fly sections of an
extension ladder.
HEAT SENSOR A label affixed to the ladder beam near the top and
heel to provide LABEL a warning that the ladder has been subjected
to excessive heat.
HEEL The end of a ladder that rests on the ground.
HOOKS Spring-loaded swivel hooks mounted on the top ends of roof
ladders for hooking over the peak of a gable roof.
MAIN SECTION The bottom section of an extension or aerial
ladder, also referred to as the bed section.
POLES Support poles attached with swivels to the main section of
long extension ladders and used to help guide and steady the
ladders during raising and lowering operations.
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PULLEY A small grooved wheel used to guide the halyard when
raising or lowering a fly.
RUBBER PADS Found on collapsible attic ladders that have a
swivel-type foot. It is designed to lay flat to help prevent
slippage on smooth surfaces.
RUNGS Round crosspieces between the beams.
SPIKE A pointed metal pin set into the end of a pole.
STIRRUP A formed metal strap, covering the heel of a beam, which
helps prevent the base of the ladder from slipping when raised.
STOPS Limiting devices that prevent the fly section from being
over-extended when raised or retracted.
TOP The end of the ladder opposite the heel.
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PART I TYPES OF LADDERS
The use of ladders is so essential to the operation of the fire
service that they are carried to some extent on nearly all fire
apparatus. To handle all the different situations that may be
encountered, there are many different types of ladders employed by
the fire service. Listed below are the types most commonly used.
Straight Extension Roof Ladder Attic Aerial
Straight Ladder Straight ladders are single section ladders that
range from 10 to 25 feet in length. (Figure 1).
Extension Ladder An extension ladder consists of two or more
sections nested together to provide a longer ladder, which still
permits ease of handling and convenience in mounting on fire
apparatus. The 40 foot and 50 foot extension ladders are equipped
with poles to assist in raising and steadying them (Figure 2).
Roof Ladder Roof ladders are straight ladders, equipped with
spring-loaded collapsible hooks at one end and range in length from
12 to 20 feet. The hooks are commonly placed on the ridgeline of a
roof and are used to distribute weight and avoid slipping. They may
also be used for descending into holes or
whenever it is necessary to suspend a ladder from the top
instead of supporting it from the bottom (Figure 3).
Attic Ladder Attic ladders are small and vary in type and
design, from small roof ladders to collapsible ladders, which fold
to a width of four inches. They are usually used in confined areas
to gain access to attics or other hard to reach places (Figure
4).
Aerial Ladder Aerial ladders are power operated extension
ladders with the base permanently mounted to a platform on the
apparatus. They are multiple section ladders ranging in length from
65 feet to 100 feet. Speed, stability, and range make them useful
for most types of ladder work, especially for rescue and elevated
fire streams (Figure 5).
(Figure 1 Straight Ladder)
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(Figure 2 Extension Ladder)
(Figure 3 Roof Ladder)
(Figure 4 Attic Ladder)
(Figure 5 Aerial Ladder)
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PART II CONSTRUCTION, PARTS, AND CARE
The illustration below shows some of the common parts and terms
used in reference to ladders.
(Figure 6 Parts of a Ladder)
Top
Fly
Stops
Pulley
Halyard
Poles
Main Section
Heel
Stirrup Spike
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CONSTRUCTION
A fire service ladder is quite different from the ordinary
household ladder. Demands of emergency service have developed
material and construction standards, which produce equipment that
is strong and reliable. Portland Fire & Rescue has a rigid
program of inspection and maintenance. The National Fire Protection
Association and the National Board of Fire Underwriters publish the
standards of material, construction and maintenance for fire
service ladders. Ground ladders used by Portland Fire & Rescue
are constructed of metal (aluminum alloy).
Parts Firefighters use many terms and expressions to describe
the parts of a ladder. Parts of the ladder are depicted in Figure
6, and definitions for the terms can be found in the glossary. The
terms have been selected because of their wide usage and commonly
accepted meaning. They will be used as standard nomenclature
throughout this manual.
Ladder Care All fire service ladders should be given an annual
strength test supervised by proper authority. Also, fire service
ladders must receive constant care and attention to keep them in
dependable condition.
As part of this program of constant care and attention, ladders
should be examined after each use for damage they may have
received. Any repairs that are needed should be made immediately. A
thorough weekly inspection should be made to determine their
overall condition. During this inspection, ladders should be
removed
from the apparatus and placed on ladder horses for better
observation. Some of the things to look for, and the proper
remedial actions, are listed below.
Burring - File burrs on metal ladders smooth with a mill bastard
file and polish with steel wool.
Corrosion - Wash with soap and water, then clean with steel
wool.
Foreign Material - Cut, scrape, or file away foreign material
(melted tar, sulfur, or light metals) or remove with proper
solvent.
Loose Rungs - This defect is beyond company repair. Notify
proper authority.
Worn Halyard - This defect is beyond company repair. Notify
proper authority.
Ladder Dogs - Keep dogs clean. Check spring action periodically.
If sticking occurs, coat with paraffin wax by rubbing it over and
onto all of the contacting parts, as this reduces wear.
Care should be exercised in placing all ladders on the
apparatus. Each ladder has a proper location and should be
carefully replaced after use. Do not attempt to force ladders into
brackets or slides. Ladders can be damaged during removal from the
apparatus, as well as during replacement.
It is not good practice to relocate a ladder more than a short
distance by sliding it along a cornice or to roll it beam over
beam.
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Paint shall not be applied to aluminum parts of the ladder
except for identifying the length and/or company number.
Cleaning Aluminum Ladders:
A. Mild soap and water works well. Be sure to flush inside the
rails and rungs to clear them of road salts, dirt, etc.
B. If the ladder is greasy or oily, use a solvent cleaner to
remove the oil.
C. If brightening is required, use a double -00- steel wool or a
plastic scrub pad on aluminum surfaces and rinse thoroughly to
remove residue.
D. Use paraffin wax as a lubrication. This wax coats and works
into the pores of the aluminum ladder and does not easily wash away
with frequent water baths. To apply, extend the ladder, and simply
rub the wax over and onto all of the contacting parts. Do not
forget to coat the lock parts (dogs) with wax as this reduces the
wear on the rungs and these parts move over the rungs every time
the ladder is used.
E. A coating of paste wax to the unpainted aluminum surfaces
will help to preserve the finish.
Visual Inspection of Ground Ladders: After each use, ladders
should be inspected as follows:
A. Make certain that all rungs are snug and tight. Test by
attempting to twist by hand. If any rung shows evidence of being
loose, arrange to have the ladder repaired.
B. Check all bolts and rivets for tightness. Rivets on metal
ladders should show no indication of looseness.
C. Visually check any welds for apparent defects.
D. Inspect rails for cracks, splintering, breaks, gouges; check
for any evidence of failure.
E. If a discoloration or a slight deformation in the ladder is
noted, it is not necessarily an indication that the ladder is
unsafe.
F. Check the heat sensor label for discoloration. If
discoloration is noted the ladder must be taken out- of-service for
testing..
Note: Use of harsh soaps and chemicals can sometimes turn heat
sensor labels dark, which is why a mild soap is recommended for
cleaning.
G. Any deficiencies noted in A through F above should be
corrected. After major repairs have been made, the ladder shall be
tested before placing it back in service.
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NOTE: Any picture in the following sections which shows a
firefighter not in full turnouts is included only for the purpose
of clarity. When training, drilling, or at an actual emergency,
appropriate PPE shall always be worn.
PART III CLIMBING LADDERS
Whenever a firefighter climbs or works from a ladder, the safety
of the firefighters depends on the angle of inclination, observance
of ladder load capacities, correct climbing methods, and
utilization of the proper safety holds.
ANGLE OF INCLINATION
The angle of inclination providing both strength and easy
climbing is about 70 degrees from the horizontal. Increasing this
angle results in decreased stability of the ladders. A flatter
angle lessens the ability of the ladder to withstand loading. It is
therefore important for a firefighter to be able to set a ladder at
the proper climbing angle.
(Figure 7 Proper angle of inclination)
Proper Angle of Inclination The heel of the ladder should be out
from the building a distance equal to one-fourth the distance from
the heel to the point where the ladder touches the building (Figure
7). If the top of the ladder rests on a cornice, shelf, or other
projection from the building, the width of the projection must be
added to the heel distance.
When setting the ladder to a window for potential rescue or
egress, the angle should be lower than 70 degrees if this can be
done safely in a soft heeling surface such as grass or dirt. When
setting the heel on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt,
other techniques must be used to ensure the heel of the ladder will
not kick-out. These techniques include heeling the ladder against
an object or utilizing the hooks of a roof ladder in the window if
the ventilation profile allows. If these techniques are not
available, the ladder will need to be set at a steeper angle or
will need to be heeled by another member.
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(Figure 8 Checking angle of inclination)
Checking Angle of Inclination Stand erect with the toes of your
boots against the ladder stirrups (Figure 8). Then extend your arms
straight out from your shoulders toward the ladder rung nearest
shoulder height. If your hands fall on the rung in a comfortable
grasping position, the ladder will be near the proper angle of
inclination.
(Figure 9 Climbing PF&R ladders)
LADDER LOADING The safe capacity or normal load limit of a
ladder with the weight properly distributed and the ladder at the
recommended angle of inclination will vary with the length of the
ladder. National Standards for Ladder Capacities are set forth in
Standard #1932 from NFPA. It is our belief that this standard
should not be exceeded and that it should be curtailed to meet
local practices. The following, more conservative table will be
used with our ladders.
Ground Ladders 0 to 19 feet..1 firefighter 20 to 29 feet. 2
firefighters 30 to 39 feet. 3 firefighters 40 to 49 feet. 4
firefighters 50 feet and above5 firefighters
Ladders Resting On A Roof The capacity of a ladder resting on a
roof will vary with the length of the ladder and the pitch of the
roof. In addition, room must be allowed for firefighters on the
ladder to work safely and effectively. As a rule of thumb, the
maximum load for any ladder on a roof is: one firefighter for every
five feet of roof ladder. The load bearing capability of the roof
is, of course, the final determining factor and may further limit
the load that may be placed on a roof ladder in a given emergency
situation.
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CLIMBING METHODS
Proper climbing methods should always be employed in ascending
and descending ladders. They have been developed as the safest,
most efficient manner of climbing, and they will keep ladder bounce
and sway to a minimum. When climbing or working off of a ladder,
three points of contact must be maintained at all timers
Portland Fire & Rescue Ladders PF&R ladders are climbed
with the hands on the rungs. While climbing the ladder, grasp the
rungs with palms down and step on the rungs with the balls of your
feet. Use each rung as the ladder is climbed, never skipping a
rung. With your body erect and your arms straight, move your hands
up the ladder between your waist and your head. Keep the weight of
the body on your legs, straightening them as each step is made.
Keep your feet near the center of the ladder and use your hands to
help maintain balance (Figure 9). When climbing a ladder and
carrying a piece of equipment, such as a roof ladder or power saw,
it is important for a firefighters hand to maintain contact with
the ladder at all times. To do this, the firefighter must slide
their free hand up the beam of the ladder. This will enable the
firefighter to carry equipment in the other hand and still have a
secure contact point with the ladder.
Fire Escape (Firefighters) Ladder The firefighters ladder is
climbed by sliding the hands up the beams rather than placing them
on each rung. This is done so that if a rung were to give way, it
would be underfoot and the firefighter climbing would be able to
avoid a fall by holding onto the beams with both hands.
Arms should travel between waist and shoulder level with thumbs
wrapped to the inside of the beams. By keeping a slight bend in the
arms, the legs do the
(Figure 10 Climbing fire escape ladders)
majority of the work. At all times, three points of contact with
the fire escape shall always be maintained (Figure 10).
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SAFETY HOLDS
It is necessary at times to perform work from a ladder that
requires the use of both hands. Two holds that allow free use of
hands are described below. They are referred to as the leg-lock and
the body hold. Their application is often referred to as tying-in.
Because there are several types of ladders and physical differences
between individuals, it will occasionally be necessary to vary from
the directions given in order to assume a comfortable and safe
working position.
Leg-Locks The leg-lock is used by a firefighter working alone.
Two different variations can be used depending if work is to be
done facing the ladder or to the side (Figure 11), or facing away
(Figure 12). If working to one side of the ladder, the leg opposite
to the side that work is to be done should be used to tie-in. The
foot on the tie-in leg should be placed on the outside of the beam
for additional leverage. This safety hold is not recommended if
work is to be done for an extended period of time without the
ladder being secured.
(Figure 11 Leg-lock facing ladder)
(Figure 12 Leg-lock facing away)
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Body Hold The body hold provides more freedom to the firefighter
being secured and is particularly useful in holding a firefighter
who is operating a nozzle from a ladder.
Stand a rung or two below the firefighter to be held. Place your
arms around their sides and grasp the beams or a convenient rung
(Figure 13).
(Figure 13 Body Hold)
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PART IV HANDLING LADDERS
The proper handling of ladders is of prime importance and cannot
be overemphasized. Proper handling prevents damage to ladders and
property, and results in speed and effectiveness in placement. In
addition, the chance of injury to firefighters, bystanders, and
victims being rescued is greatly reduced.
The ability to handle ladders properly can be acquired by
learning and practicing the fundamental individual skills that are
presented in this manual. They are presented by detailing the
actions of an individual firefighter.
In several of the ladder carries, the actions of the individual
remain the same, but the positions taken along the ladder will vary
according to the number of firefighters available and the length of
the ladder. These positions will be detailed in Section 8, Ladder
Evolutions.
PICKING UP A LADDER
A firefighter should develop the habit early of using the
powerful muscles of the legs when picking up ladders, rather than
risking a strained back. Whenever it is necessary to stoop down to
pick up a ladder, lifting should be done by bending the knees and
keeping the back straight as shown in Figure 14. This same
procedure should be followed in reverse whenever laying a ladder on
the ground.
When it is necessary for one person to carry a ladder, the
ladder is picked up near the center and should carried with the tip
pointing downward. Care should be taken to not strike anything or
anybody with the ends of the ladder.
(Figure 14 Picking up for carry, ladder flat)
Flat Pickup for Carry Take a position alongside the ladder
facing the direction opposite to that in which the ladder is to be
carried. Squatting, take hold of the second to the last rung or the
last rung with the hand nearest the ladder with the palm of your
hand facing the rear as in Figure 14.
The ladder is lifted with one hand until it is high enough to
permit placing the other hand under the beam, at which time an
about-face is executed toward the ladder. This places the ladder on
the shoulder as shown in Figure 15.
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(Figure 15 Ladder ready for carry)
Flat Pickup for Raise When the ladder is to be raised, follow
the same procedure as for flat pickup for carry. After executing
the about-face, (Figure 16), push the ladder high above the head
until the arms are straight as shown in Figure 17. By advancing the
hands down the rungs (one firefighter), or the beam (two
firefighters), the ladder is raised to the vertical.
(Figure 16 Executing about-face)
(Figure 17 Ladder raised, on the flat)
Beam Pickup for Carry Take a position alongside the ladder,
facing the direction of carry or facing the ladder. You then squat
and take hold of the center of a rung with one hand and the top
beam with the other hand as shown in Figure 18. The ladder is
lifted and an arm is passed between the rungs bringing the top beam
to rest on the shoulder as shown in Figure 19.
(Figure 18 Beam position, for carry)
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(Figure 19 Carrying a ladder on the beam)
Beam Pickup for Raise Take a position alongside the ladder
facing the direction opposite to that in which the ladder is to be
raised. Take hold of the second to the last rung or the last rung,
as shown in Figure 20, with the palm of your hand toward the heel
of the ladder. As the ladder is lifted above your head, swing under
the beam in an about face which leaves you facing the heel (Figure
21). By advancing your hands on the beam, the ladder is raised
vertically.
(Figure 20 Beam pickup for raise)
(Figure 21 Swinging under the ladder, beam pickup for raise)
When there are two firefighters for the beam positions, the
firefighter at the forward beam position advances with hands down
the beam, keeping them near the shoulder with the head to one side
of the beam as shown in Figure 22.
(Figure 22 Ladder being raised on the beam, two
firefighters)
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HEELING A LADDER
The heeling of a ladder means anchoring the heel so it will
serve as a pivot for the ladder during the raise. This is
accomplished by placing the heel against the side of a building or
by positioning one or more firefighters at the heel or bottom of
the ladder.
Depending on the position of the ladder at the start of a raise,
there are two different ways of heeling a ladder. Either the ladder
is on the flat, or on the beam.
Ladder Flat Place both feet on the bottom rung of the ladder
close to the beams. Grasping a rung above the feet with both hands,
you lay back, using your body weight to assist in the raise as
shown in Figures 23 and 24. As the ladder is raised, your hands are
moved up one rung at a time.
(Figure 23 One FF heeling, ladder flat)
When two firefighters are used to heel a ladder, each
firefighter places one foot on the bottom rung and the other on the
stirrup. Also, the hand next to the beam may be placed on the
beam.
(Figure 24 Two FFs heeling, ladder flat)
Just before the ladder reaches the vertical, step back with one
foot, leaving the other foot on the bottom rung. At the same time,
place your hands on the beams about shoulder high as shown in
Figures 25. All firefighters involved in the raise should be
looking up at the top of the ladder. This will help the
firefighter(s) at the heel position check the momentum and steady
the ladder.
(Figure 25 Stepping back as ladder reaches vertical)
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Ladder on the Beam A position is taken alongside the base of the
ladder facing the top. The foot next to the ladder is then placed
on top of the ladder and spanning the heel, pushing the stirrup
firmly to the ground. The other foot is placed one step forward.
One hand is placed on the upper beam stirrup with the other
grasping the upper beam directly above the forward foot (Figure
26).
(Figure 26 One FF heeling, ladder on the beam)
As the ladder is raised by the firefighter at the beam position,
the firefighter at the heel position pushes down with the hand on
the upper stirrup and pulls up with the other hand. The forward
foot is
moved back as the ladder comes up to maintain good body
balance.
As the ladder reaches vertical, place your hands on the beams
about shoulder height. Rest one foot on the bottom rung to steady
the ladder. Eyes should be looking up at the top to assist with
steadying the ladder (Figure 27).
(Figure 27 One FF steadying ladder)
If two firefighters are to heel the ladder, the second
firefighter takes a similar position on the opposite side of the
ladder with a foot placed on the beam forward of the bottom rung
(Figure 28).
(Figure 28 Two FFs heeling, ladder on the beam)
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LOWERING A LADDER TO A BUILDING
Lowering a ladder to a building after it has been raised is not
difficult. Care must be exercised to avoid damage to the ladder or
the building. Lowering should not be done individually unless you
have raised the ladder by yourself.
The operation as described here, begins with the ladder in a
vertical position. At this time, either the flat side of the ladder
or the one beam of the ladder will be toward the building.
Flat Side Toward Building Take the position shown in Figure 27
and ease the ladder carefully to the building. If two firefighters
are doing the raise, the second firefighter takes a position
between the ladder and the building. By grasping both beams
shoulder high, and facing the ladder, the second firefighter
assists by pulling the ladder to the building (see Figure 29).
(Figure 29 Lowering the ladder to the building, flat side)
The firefighter in the heel position maintains a hand position
about shoulder height on the beams. While keeping the heeling foot
on the bottom
rung, the heel position then assists in lowering the ladder to
the building. If two firefighters are between the ladder and the
building, they each grasp a beam with hands well apart and pull the
ladder to the building. If two firefighters are used to heel the
ladder, each grasps one beam while maintaining their heeling foot
on the bottom rung as shown in Figure 30.
(Figure 30 Two FF between ladder & bldg)
Ladder Edge Toward Building This operation requires a minimum of
two firefighters. One firefighter assumes a position between the
ladder and the building. Grasping the beam with hands just above
and below shoulder level, you pull the ladder carefully toward
yourself and to the building.
The other firefighter faces the climbing side of the ladder and
places the foot nearest the building on the bottom rung, next to
the beam nearest the building. Placing hands on the beams about
shoulder height, the ladder is steadied as it is eased into the
building on the beam (Figure 31). Both firefighters should be
watching the top of the ladder. As soon as the top of the ladder
rests against the building, the firefighter
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heeling the ladder turns the ladder down flat, which is also
referred to as closing the door.
(Figure 31 Lowering ladder, ladder edge toward building)
ADJUSTING A LADDER
After a ladder has been raised and placed against the building
it may be necessary to move the heel of the ladder closer to, or
farther away from the building, to get the proper angle for
climbing. This may also be necessary when preparing to lower a long
ladder.
Side Position Take a position alongside one of the beams and
grasp the second or third rung from the bottom with one hand and
the beam about shoulder height with the other. Then lift the ladder
slightly and move the heel to the proper distance from the building
(Figure 32). Two firefighters would take opposing positions, one
alongside each beam.
(Figure 32 Adjusting ladder, side position)
SHIFTING A LADDER
It is often necessary to move or shift a ladder that has been
raised and positioned without lowering the ladder to the ground.
When this situation is encountered, the ladder is shifted in one of
three ways: by rolling the ladder, vertical carry in front of the
body, or vertical carry on the shoulder.
Rolling a Ladder When a ladder resting against a building is to
be rolled or turned, your foot is placed on the bottom rung next to
the beam that is in the direction of the roll or turn. Hands should
be placed on the beams about shoulder high as shown in Figure 33.
The ladder is then turned until the edge of the ladder is toward
the building. You can keep pressure on the ladder with your upper
body to help maintain control of the ladder. Removing your foot
from the rung and allowing the ladder to pass in front of
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you completes the rolling process. As the ladder is about to
reach a flat position against the building, your foot should be
placed back on the bottom rung. This procedure can be repeated
multiple times to reach a designated objective.
(Figure 33 Rolling or turning a ladder)
Vertical Carry, in Front of the Body Depending on your height
and the distance the rungs are apart, you will grasp either the
second or the third rung from the bottom of the ladder with one
hand and the beam overhead with the other hand as shown in Figure
34. The ladder is canted slightly back overhead, and is easier to
balance and carry when held away from the body. The top of the
ladder should be checked frequently to avoid collision with
obstacles overhead.
Vertical Carry, on the Shoulder An arm is placed through the
ladder between the third and fourth rungs from the bottom and the
second rung from the bottom is grasped with the hand,
bringing the fourth rung to rest on the shoulder. The other hand
is raised high on the front beam to aid in balancing the ladder.
This position is shown in Figure 35. With this method, the weight
of the ladder is carried on the shoulder rather than by the
arm.
(Figure 34 Vertical carry in front of body)
(Figure 35 Vertical carry, on the shoulder)
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LADDER POLES
The poles on poled ladders are used to assist with the
following:
Raising the ladder
To steady the ladder while the fly is being extended
To control the movement at the top of the extended ladder
To help support the ladder load and check side sway when the
ladder is in position
The following information is basic to the use of poles. Further
information relative to specific operations will be given when
these operations are described.
Holding a Ladder Pole The firefighter in the pole position faces
the pole and grasps the lower end in one hand and with the other
hand grasps the pole higher up at a distance, which is comfortable
(Figure 36).
(Figure 36 Holding a ladder pole)
A firefighter in the pole position should maintain an upright
position and watch the top of the ladder. There are times when a
pole will be moved into positions which would require the
firefighter holding the pole to stoop to maintain a hold on the end
of the pole. At such times let the pole slide through your hands in
order to stay erect. The sliding of the pole should be done by
alternating through the upper and lower hands. As you move out of
these positions you can regain your original hold on the pole.
Positioning With The Poles Coordination of firefighters efforts
in positioning the poles is extremely important since the poles
give them leverage on the ladder, which cannot be overcome by the
firefighters at the beam position. For this reason, the two
firefighters at the pole positions should face each other. This
will allow them to coordinate their efforts to the observed
progress of their partner and quickly communicate back and forth
should it become necessary.
When the ladder is standing in a vertical position, as when the
fly is to be extended, one firefighter handling the pole should
always move to a position at ninety degrees from the other (Figure
37). This will ensure stability at the top of the ladder. Also,
continue to watch the top of the ladder and direct each other as
necessary to keep the ladder vertical.
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(Figure 37 Poles at 90 degrees)
Walking With a Pole When walking with a pole to assume a
position at ninety degrees from the other pole, the firefighter
walks forward. If the position is to the rear, move around the
pole, change hands and walk forward to the new position. Arriving
there you again move around the pole and change hands, so that you
once again face the other pole.
Placing the Poles When the ladder has been lowered to the
building the pole ends are placed on the ground next to the
building in a manner that keeps them out of the way and helps to
support the load on the ladder (Figure 38). They must be checked
frequently to see that they have not been moved by traffic on the
ladder. Movement of the poles may cause the ladder to move or walk
from its original position.
(Figure 38 Poles in position)